Saab 35 Draken

Stories of InnovationStory

12 December 2012

Draken is on display at museums in Sweden and abroad, there is one still flying in Sweden.

The Saab 35 fighter aircraft started being planned as a replacement for the J 29 Tunnan in the autumn of 1949 under the leadership of Erik Bratt. The Swedish defence materiel procurement authority required the aircraft to perform at high supersonic speeds and be able to engage targets at high altitudes.

At that time there was limited understanding of supersonic aviation, which is why the "double delta" configuration had been tested earlier in 1952 using the specially developed Saab 210 "Little Dragon" experimental aircraft. The maiden flight was carried out on 25 October 1955 by Bengt Olow and shortly afterwards, in January 1956, the Draken broke the sound barrier while climbing and without afterburner!

Series delivery of the first version, J 35A, started at the end of 1959. New versions were developed and delivered up to 1977 by which time a total of 611 aircraft had been built. On 8 December 1998, the Draken was retired after nearly 40 years service in the Swedish Air Force.

Draken was Saab's first military aircraft to have been exported in significant numbers. The Danish, Finnish and Austrian air forces purchased a total of 122 aircraft, some of which had been previously used by the Swedish Air Force. Draken continues to be used in the USA for training test pilots.

Data and performance

Engine: RR Avon Mk 60/RM 6C, 7,760 hp with afterburner

Max. take-off weight: 10,440 kg

Max. speed: Mach 2

Max. altitude: 14,500 m

Last updated: 21 April 2015 • 16:33

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